The number of claims paid out during 2012 was 744 compared with 796 for 2011.
Of claims not met, 8% were declined due to the definition of the condition not being met, while 1.8% were declined because of non-disclosure.
Of the top four conditions covered, 62% of payments were made for cases of cancer, up from 58% in 2011 and 50% in 2010. The next three conditions for claims paid out were heart attack – 13% up from 9.1% in 2011; stroke – 7% up from 5.9% in 2011 and multiple sclerosis – 4% compared to 3.8% in 2011.
Rhys Dudding, European chief claims officer Zurich, said: “The figures reinforce the fact that the vast majority of critical illness claims are paid swiftly, providing much needed support when it’s needed most.
“In the small proportion of cases where claims can’t be paid, it’s largely because the condition suffered does not meet the terms of the policy.”
